Charles Smith, a TikTok prankster, uploaded a video of himself spraying pesticide on fresh vegetables at a Walmart shop in Arizona. Smith is now facing accusations that include introducing poison, criminal damage, and endangerment.
According to a news statement issued by the Mesa Police Department, Smith, who is 27 years old and goes by the name Wolfie Kahletti on TikTok, was taken into custody and charged on Saturday, December 21. The charges stem from allegations that he sprayed potentially lethal chemicals on a number of different food items earlier this week.
On December 19, at around 8:30 p.m. local time, Smith walked inside the Walmart that is situated on South Stapley Drive with the goal of making a prank video for his TikTok account, according to the police. According to their allegations, Smith did not pay for the can of Hot Shot Ultra Bed Bug & Flea Killer that he purchased; he just picked it up. After that, it is said that he sprayed it over fresh produce and various types of food, such as rotisserie chickens, veggies, and fruit that were available for purchase.
Additionally, according to the authorities, Smith recorded himself taking up the pesticide container and spraying it all over the food in a TikTok video that has since been removed. After that, Smith allegedly left the business and uploaded the video, according to court records that PEOPLE was able to access.
“Once he left, he began to see comments online saying how horrible the act was, and he decided to return and collect the items,” according to the official records.
It is stated in the news statement issued by the Mesa Police Department that “detectives were able to identify Smith as the suspect through investigative means, and with assistance from the Tempe Police Department.” “Mesa Police contacted Smith and he turned himself in voluntarily.”
In addition, investigators said that Smith “admitted to the theft and spraying of the pesticide” when he was being interviewed by the police personnel.
Smith is now facing accusations of criminal damage, endangerment, and theft, all of which are considered to be misdemeanors. In addition, he is being charged with introducing poison, which is classified as a class 6 felony by the state of Arizona.
According to the documents that were filed in the case, Smith referred to himself as a “troll,” and he often publishes provocative pranks that are intended to stir controversy or outcry.
Within the bio section of his TikTok account, Smith refers to himself as a “tycoon creator” and a “supreme villain.” There are times when his videos get more than one million views, and there are even times when they receive as much as twelve million views.
Recently uploaded videos on Smith’s page include pranks in which he uses a bike lock or bungee cord to lock clients inside open establishments as he stands outside the doors. Additionally, he puts raw bacon inside a laundromat washing machine that is being used by an unknown person.
According to the documents filed with the court, Smith claims that his monthly income from TikTok ranges anywhere from $6,000 to $10,000.
According to a statement sent by Walmart to PEOPLE, all of the goods that were implicated in the incident have been removed from the store, and the area has been cleaned completely.
“The health and safety of our customers and associates is always a top priority,” an official statement from Walmart states. Since we are working to find a solution to this problem, we would like to apologize for any difficulty that this may have given to our clients. We are committed to maintaining a strong working relationship with law enforcement throughout their investigation.
According to the Mesa Police Department, this incident serves as an illustration of what may occur when misuse of social media is allowed to go too far.
“This incident underscores the potential dangers of reckless actions disguised as social media pranks,” the department said in its statement.
Following that, Smith allegedly published two videos on his YouTube channel, in which he demonstrated taking produce from the shelves and rearranging it to other locations inside the Walmart store.
The individual who posted on TikTok said to the newspaper that all of the fruit was “thrown away right after.” Additionally, he said that “no one was poisoned.”
